“The Centre is likely to break”
K. Santhanam from Madras passionately defended the rights of the states in the Constituent Assembly. He argued that strengthening both the states and the Centre required a reallocation of powers. Santhanam believed that burdening the Centre with too many responsibilities would hinder its effectiveness. By transferring some functions to the states, the Centre could become stronger.
Santhanam expressed concern that the proposed allocation of powers would cripple the states. He feared that the fiscal provisions favored the Centre, leaving the provinces impoverished. Without adequate finances, how could the states undertake development projects? Santhanam rejected a constitution where states had to rely on the Centre for basic necessities like education and sanitation. He advocated for a unitary system over a federal one.
Santhanam warned of dire consequences if the proposed distribution of powers was adopted unchecked. He predicted that provinces would revolt against the Centre in a few years. Many other provincial representatives shared these concerns. They lobbied for fewer items to be included in the Concurrent and Union lists, fearing excessive centralization of powers under the Constitution.
Chapter 12 The Powers of the State| Class 12 History Notes
Class 12 History Notes Chapter 12: These notes for Class 12 History Chapter 12 “The Powers of the State” are made by subject experts to help students prepare for their board exams. They simply explain complex ideas so that students can understand them easily.
Understanding how power is divided between the Central Government and the states is important for students studying History. These notes make it easier for students to learn about federalism and governance, which are important topics in their syllabus. By using these notes, students can improve their understanding and do well in their exams.
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